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“I was disappointed with an incident after the game at their place earlier in the season [Rovers keeper Bradley Collins was accused of spitting at City’s Sean Raggett, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the FA].

“I was disappointed with their manager’s comments on the back of us getting promoted. We found them disrespectful, unnecessary and unfounded.

“So it [the game] felt personal, which was fine for us and we enjoyed the win.”

Nicky Cowley celebrates the win at the end of the game (Image: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)

Like in the reverse fixture between the sides in September, the final whistle was followed by a bout of pushing and shoving between both sets of players and coaching teams.

“It was nothing really,” added Cowley. “I was trying to shake their hands but it wasn’t possible.

“There was an incident on the pitch but it was at a pretty low level. You have to do your fighting on the pitch and I thought we did that today.

“I wouldn’t want that incident at the end to gloss over what was a really hardworking and determined performance from us.”